484 LAMELLIROSTKAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



Colonel Grayson's acquaintance possessed a pair of these Ducks, which she said 

 were as good as the best watch-dog ; he himself had a pair which were equally 

 vigilant, and very docile. 



Dr. J. C. Merrill writes me that this large and handsome Duck arrives from the 

 South, in the vicinity of Fort Brown, in April, and soon thereafter becomes abundant 

 on the river-banks and lagoons. ^Migrating at night, it continually utters a very 

 peculiar chattering whistle, which at ont-e indicates its presence. The Mexicans call 

 it Pato maizal, or Cornfield Duck, from its habit of frequenting those localities. It 

 is by no means shy, and large numbers are offered for sale in the Brownsville market. 

 It is easily domesticated, and becomes very tame, roosting at night in the trees with 

 the Chickens and Turkeys. When the females begin to lay, the males leave them 

 and gatlier in large flocks on sandbars in the river. Dr. S. M. Finley, U. S. A., Avho 

 had had ample op})ortunity of observing these birds at Hidalgo, informed Dr. Merrill 

 that the eggs are deposited in hollow trees and branches, often at the considerable 

 distance of two miles or more from water, and from eight to thirty feet above the 

 ground. They are placed on the bare wood, and are from twelve to sixteen in number. 

 Two broods are raised in a season, and the parent carries the young to Avater in her 

 bill. Twelve eggs received from Dr. Finley average 2.11 inches by 1.53, with but 

 little variation in size ; they are of the usual Duck-shape, and in color are a rather 

 clear yellowish white. The birds usually depart in Sejjtember, but a few very late 

 broods are seen even in November. 



The eggs of this species from the Berlandier Collection, from Tamaulipas, Mexico 

 (Smithsonian Institution, Xo. 743), are of an ivory-white color, with a greenish 

 tinge. In their shape they are of a rounded oval. Three eggs have the following 

 measurements : 2.00 by 1.50 inches ; 2.30 by 1.60 ; 2.10 by 1.60. 



Dendrocycna fulva. 



THE FULVOUS-BELLIED TEEE DUCK. 



Penelope meodcana, Briss. Orii. VI. 1760, 390 (Mexico). 



Anas fulva, Gmel. S. N. I. ii. 1788, 530 (ex Biuss. 1. c). 



Dendrocygna fulva, Bukm. Roise La Plata, 1856, 515. — Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 770; ed. 1860, 

 pi. 60 ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 575. — CouEs, Key, 1872, 284 ; Check List, 1873, no. 486; 

 2d ed. 1882, no. 705 ; B. N. W. 1874, 558. 



Dendrocycna fulva, Eidgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 600. 



Anas vircjata. Max. Eeise Bras. I. 1820, 322. 



Pato roxo y negro, Azaua, Apunt. III. 1805, no. 436. 



Anas bicolor, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. Y. 136 (ex Azara, 1. c. ). 



A7ias collaris, Merrem, in Erscli u. Grub. Enc. Set. i. Vol. XXXV. 31. 



? Dendrocygna major, Jerdon, Birds India, III. 790 (India !). —Scl. P. Z. S. 1866, 148 (Madagas- 

 car !). 



IIab. Southern border of the United States, north to Central CaUi'ornia and Western Nevada 

 (Washoe Lake), east to Louisiana. Mexico; Southern South America. India? Madagascar? Not 

 recorded from Northern South America (except Trinidad), Central America, or the West Indies. 



Sp. Char. Adult : Head, neck, and lower parts deep reddish ochraceous, passing into cinna- 

 mon on the Hanks, where tlie hmger feathers have a broad medial stripe of pale ochraceous, bor- 

 dered by dusky. Crown inclining to ferruginous ; nape with a distinct bhick stripe, connnencing 

 at the occiput. Middle of tlie neck dirty whitish, minutely streaked with dusky, beneath the sur- 

 face. Prevailing color above brownish black, the dorsal and scapular feathers broadly tipped with 

 the color of the lower parts ; lesser wing-coverts tinged with rusty chestnut. LTpper tail-coverts 

 immaculate white ; crissum yellowish white. Bill and feet black, in the dried skin ; in life, " bill 

 bluish black, legs light slaty blue " (Merrill). Sexes alike. Youiig not seen. 



